National Video-Game Crusader Asks For Mall Shooter's Details

A national crusader against violent video game is suing Omaha's police chief in connection with the Von Maur shootings.

Attorney Jack Thompson said he wants to find out whether Robert Hawkins, 19, played any violent video games.

Hawkins shot eight people to death, then killed himself at Von Maur on Dec. 5.

Within hours after the Westroads Mall shooting, police searched Hawkins' residence and seized computer equipment, including a laptop, two computer towers and a hard drive, search warrants show.

Thompson, who spoke to KETV NewsWatch 7 by phone from Florida, said he wants to know what kind of video games are on the seized equipment.

"The public has a need to know, has a right to know, what's on his computer hard drive," Thompson said.

Thompson said he believes violent video games are a public safety and public health problem. The games can be very realistic. Thompson said one game that features a "mall rampage" does more than just give teenage boys ideas.

"These games are actually rehearsal devices that teach techniques and scenarios and methodologies on how to kill that they wouldn't otherwise have," he said.

Thompson said he believes violent video games are contributing to the growing number of mass shootings. His lawsuit asks Omaha Police Chief Thomas Warren to produce information on all of Hawkins' "violent entertainment material."

"Certainly the police department should know, and if they don't know, then they need to find out," Thompson said.

Omaha police said they're in the process of analyzing Hawkins' computer equipment, but said that it's part of an ongoing criminal investigation and not a matter of public record. OPD has denied Thompson's request, but he said he intends to pursue his lawsuit.

The operations manager of Omaha video-game retailer Gamers said there's no causal link between videogames and real violence. Ryan Miller said video games actually allow people to release aggression in a virtual world.

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